BFA Design at Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Programme overview

The BFA in Design is part of an 87-credit Art & Design BFA for students who want to become professional artists and designers, pairing studios with seminar discussions. A Minor in Animation is available to BFA majors.

What you will study

Foundation studios (16 credits), 40 concentration credits (24 studio credits, two design seminars, a 4-credit practicum or internship, Thesis A and B) and 31 studio elective credits. Coursework covers graphic and interaction design, typography, publication design, coding and data visualization, ending in a capstone of self-initiated work.

Career pathways

Graphic design, digital product design, UX/UI design, design research, art direction, creative direction.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Rutgers-New Brunswick first-year applicants: test-optional (SAT/ACT reviewed as an additional credential). International applicants whose secondary schooling was outside the U.S. in a non-English-primary country need English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 79 (tests through Jan 21, 2026), IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo English Test 115; waivers are case by case. Fall first-year deadlines: Early Action Nov 1, Regular Decision Dec 1. Mason Gross School of the Arts applicants must also submit a portfolio, audition or interview.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Fall (September) entry: first-year Early Action application due November 1, 2026 and Regular Decision due December 1, 2026 for September 2027 entry; Spring (January) entry for 2027 is open to first-year and transfer applicants to the School of Arts and Sciences, with an application due date of October 1, 2026.

New Brunswick, Fall/September 2027: first-year Early Action November 1, 2026 (decision by January 31, 2027); first-year Regular Decision December 1, 2026 (decision by February 28, 2027); all transfer applicants February 1, 2027; candidate reply date May 1, 2027. Applications after the due dates are considered on a rolling, space-available basis. Applicants must apply by December 1 to be considered for honors and merit-based scholarships.

New Brunswick, Spring/January 2027: all first-year and transfer applications due October 1, 2026; online decision December 1, 2026; candidate reply date December 7, 2026.

Applications are submitted through the Rutgers Application or the Common App. SAT and ACT scores are optional for Rutgers-New Brunswick undergraduate applicants (SAT code 2765, ACT code 2592); Rutgers maintains test-optional and test-blind policies through 2027. Application fee is paid online by credit card or by mailed check; fee waivers are accepted from the National School Lunch Program, military or veteran applicants, College Board, NACAC, ACT and EOF.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.rutgers.edu/apply

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